Twice Over a Man: The Thrivers Workbook  

People often ask me where I get my ideas for writing. The truth is, ideas come from everywhere, emails I receive at OrvinKimbrough.com, conversations, books, podcasts, even random thoughts sparked by the day’s events. But generating ideas isn’t the hard part. The real question is: When do I find the energy to write?

That part is unpredictable. Sometimes inspiration hits at odd hours. Just last night, my latest article found me at 2 a.m. I couldn’t sleep, my mind was restless, running through things I needed to do the next day. I was outlining articles and books in my head, so I got up, went to my office, and turned on the fireplace. I scribbled notes on my whiteboard, kicked back in my recliner, and threw on my headphones. I started listening to Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro.

But that blog topic, the one about being “unqualified”, kept nagging at me. I couldn’t shake it. So, I grabbed my phone and wrote the entire first draft right there. The thought that sparked it was simple: At what point in my life was I ever truly qualified?

Writing usually flows best when I’m drawing from the overflow, when the words pour out because they’re rooted in something deeply emotional or personal. Even if someone else’s question sparks the topic, I try to connect with it in a way that feels honest and vulnerable.

That article, Unqualified? Perfect. only took me 20 minutes to write, but getting it blog-ready took another two hours. And honestly, that’s part of why I keep coming back to writing.

Writing feels spiritual for me. It connects my body, mind, and spirit in ways few other things can. Oddly enough, I enjoy writing even more than meeting with people (and I do just fine with people!). Writing is efficient, there’s no pressure of public speaking, and I can reach far more people.

Another thing I love? Writing never really ends. When I give a speech, there’s a beginning and an end, one shot with that audience. But with writing, I can keep refining, reworking, and releasing enhancements to ideas long after they’re published. It’s a process that evolves, and I love that.

So, if you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes, this is it. A little chaos, a lot of reflection, and the willingness to hit “publish” even when it’s not perfect.